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Irish Cloche

“Sir,” I asked in my most polite English, “are these cloches made here in Williamsburg?”

“Madam,” he exclaimed, “we are quite suspicious of strangers who so freely speak with French phrases, and do not take kindly to the French in our midst. If you are referring to the bell glass, they are made nearby in Jamestown.”

The actors in Colonial Williamsburg seldom break character, but this charming gentleman smiled as I laughed out loud. I was wondering what he would think if I told him I wanted it not to warm my seedlings but to join a fun cloche party!

Bell glasses are used in all the gardens in Colonial Williamsburg to keep the seedlings warm on cool evenings. Green glass is often preferred, but I have not been able to discover the reason.

Now I am kind of in

~~love~~

with my pretty green cloche/bell glass. (Really!)

I’m wondering what the Irish would call them? Probably not the same as the English, but I know the word would sound luscious with the lovely

Irish brogue.

These “shamrocks” being sold at my local store look suspiciously like the clover I pull out of my lawn. But under the cloche they appear quite dainty and exotic!

Oh I love your vignette and your green cloche is fabulous. What a great find, and I didn’t know about the green ones. Your little “pot of gold” is fabulous, so perfect. Thanks so much for joining the party. Hugs, marty

Oh Hi Linda, I’m so happy I found you, again. Glad to have you back posting and no wonder, this is a fabulous post. Love how you explain the difference between the bell jar and a cloche! I love, love, love your Nicholas Mosse pottery. I had it in my hand and didn’t buy it! Next trip I won’t make that mistake. Love the vignette with the pottery and cloche. Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

I love your cloche, ummm I mean bell glass! I have a green vase I got there at Jamestown several years ago. They make them right there. I believe the green is a color that comes out naturally from the sand they use there? Anyway, having a green one is totally cool! Love your shamrock plants! Love your Nicholas Mosse pottery! Looks like you are all ready for St Patrick’s Day!

OOO, Linda Lou, I LOVED this post. You have some really pretty Irish pieces. The only thing I have that is actually from Ireland (my friend brought it back to me) is a ceramic shamrock. When I got ready to do my post, I could not find that shamrock ANYwhere. Maybe a little leprechaun made off with it.

I love your cloche, Linda! I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in a colored glass before! I wonder if they used them to absorb the heat for the plant, but keep the actually sun from hitting it, where it might burn the plant. It’s the perfect color for this time of year!

I too love your green cloches, wish I found them around here. Your little pot of gold it’s adorable. You know, I learned later in life the term cloche, my mother always called them bell jars, I guess she translated them from the Spanish term, which is “glass bell”! My Ecuadorian friends love them and use their BELLS all the time. Love your outside pictures too. Thanks for your lovely visit. Hugs,FABBY

What a great bell jar story, Linda. Your shamrocks look nice and healthy. I almost bought the oxalis but changed my mind. Have to go back to the store so maybe I’ll pick it up. Your scones sure do look good 🙂

This is such a fun post. 🙂 I love everything on your table. I’ve always loved shamrocks; I used to always keep one in my home. I enjoyed your cloche/bell jar story. Williamsburg is a great place to visit, and the green cloche is really pretty.

I’m so excited to see your Nicholas Mosse pottery! I saw some years ago when we were in the U.K., but I never see it around here. It’s so charming and unique!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for your kind comments. I’m now following your blog on Google Friend Connect. Hope you have a great week!

Love your cloches and how you wove the story was so enjoyable. So clever and creative. I was going to blog about the garden at Monticello (they also have cloches) but you beat me to it. I have a book on antique garden ornaments you would like. I think I did a post on it in 2010. I think it was the first cloche party of Marty’s I joined. I always look forward to her parties.

Linda, Alma and I had scones at an Irish Coffee House we went to a few weeks ago. They were like sawdust!I finally found a good recipe, nice and moist!Thank so much, non Irish lady, for joining in the celebration! 🙂Love your bell , I don’t use mine in the garden either!

The green cloche is gorgeous, LInda! If I ever go back to Williamsburg, VA, I will look for them. The pot of gold is perfect captured inside of it for luck! Your scones look delcious and I agree, Kerrygold is the best tasting butter there is.

Rettabug sent me an easy sounding recipe for corned beef and cabbage, I’m thinking about trying it. Here’s her recipe if you would like to try it too. Let me know if you do!Katherine

From Rett:You should try doing a corned beef in the crock pot. It is SOOOO easy & extremely flavorful that way.

You just put 1/2 cup H2o in the bottom, rinse off the meat & lay it with the fat side UP, sprinkle on the little package of seasonings & add 1 or 2 chopped onions over it all. Put the lid on & don’t open it for 8-10 hrs. & I promise you, it will be the most tender & flavorful CBeef you’ve ever had. I did it this way last year & will never boil it again!!

Core the cabbage, nuke it in the microwave till soft then simmer it in some butter in a big pan till you’re ready to eat. Add mashed potatoes & your all set. I’d come make it for you but I’ll be a little busy with our gang here on Sat. LOL Hugs, Rett

Sorry I’m late to arrive, but I’ve been away from my computer. I think the first time I noticed a cloche was at Williamsburg. Love the green glass. I agree, scones seem to taste better than they look. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! ~ Sarah

What a delightful post!I covet your green cloche! Such a unique cloche! Marty’s cloche party is so much fun and I’m seriously getting addicted to cloches!I loved the story behind bell jars and cloches:)Your scones look scrumptious and the Irish pottery is so perfect to serve them in. Thanks for sharing this beautiful post with us and for your sweet note. Hugs~Poppy

Hi lovely lady.Your green cloche is beautiful you are so luck to fine this great color, and those precious dishes! I would like to thank you so much for your sweet comments on my new post. Hope you have a wonderful St.Patrick’s Day with your family.XXOO Diane

You just made me laugh right out loud with the story of Williamsburg. That’s too cute.

I’m glad you stopped by because you are NOT coming up on my dashboard as having updated. I didn’t even know you were back in swing. So excited to see it, and I love your whole cloche… um… bell glass… post.